Academic Research

The application of computed tomography (CT) in Vertebrate Paleontology has proven to be very useful for examining the internal anatomy of various vertebrates (specifically tetrapods) and testing hypotheses regarding the interrelationships of the major early tetrapod groups. Amniotes (fully terrestrial vertebrates) represent one of the major lineages of vertebrates with an evolutionary history of about 320 million years. However, there are still many uncertainties regarding the early evolutionary history of the group during the Paleozoic.
This project will involve utilizing micro-CT data to investigate and digitally segment fossil remains, such as the internal skull (endocranial) anatomy of an early amniote. This will potentially also include anatomical description of the newly revealed anatomy and performing updated phylogenetic analyses. This research will contribute important information that will lead to a more thorough understanding of early amniote evolution.

Readings on vertebrate paleontology and specifically on the early evolution of amniotes (reptiles and synapsids) and other terrestrial vertebrates.